Covid vaccination: Goondiwindi population reaches 63 per cent vaccinated

A Queensland country town is leading the country’s Covid-19 fight with an extraordinary 63 per cent of its population already fully vaccinated against the deadly virus.

A Queensland country town is leading the country’s coronavirus fight with an extraordinary 63 per cent of its population already fully vaccinated against the deadly virus.

In a shining example for the entire country, almost two thirds of residents in the border town of Goondiwindi have joined a spirited community push to roll up their sleeves and get the crucial jab.

Mayor Lawrence Springborg said the pride was palpable in the town where people were so grateful for the opportunity to be vaccinated they happily waited hours in line, came straight from work with the mud still on their boots and drove hundreds of kilometres to access the clinic.

The local council estimates at least 63 per cent of their adult population in the Goondiwindi postcode has already received both doses of their Covid jab – and that they are well on their way to reaching over 80 per cent.

“We’re very proud with what we’ve achieved in such a short period of time,” Mr Springborg said.

“It’s a fantastic story.

“This puts us in a very strong position, especially as we watch cases continue to surge in NSW and now in South East Queensland.”

The Queensland town of Goondiwindi has at least 70 per cent vaccination in the town, pictured are Kayne, Kathy, April, Leteesha, Sandra, Julia and Tony Spicer Photo Hannah McNulty

It also puts the town – situated about 350km west of Brisbane on the border with NSW – well ahead of the roughly 20 per cent of Queenslanders statewide who are fully vaccinated.

The council’s analysis is based on an estimated population of 4,800 within the Goondiwindi postcode, which does not include the entire regional council.

Across the broader Goondiwindi Regional Council, which is home to roughly 10,600 people, almost 5,000 people have received both doses of their vaccine and about 780 have received one dose.

The town had a Queensland Health-run super clinic with Pfizer jabs that was open to anyone over the age of 16, with walk-ins encouraged to roll up their sleeves.

Mr Springborg said workers were going straight from the paddocks to the vaccination clinic to get their jab – some with mud still on their boots.

“People lined up from three and four hours – they were just very, very, very grateful to get the opportunity (to get vaccinated),” he said.

“We just went on a communications blitz to make people aware of this to the extent that it was so popular that we had people driving hundreds of kilometres to get in there.

“There is a great level of pride – we should be able to take that pride to other areas.”

The Mayor said the community was now home to families where everyone over the age of 16 was entirely vaccinated.

Mr Springborg said people from just over the border in NSW had also been encouraged to get their jab at the Goondiwindi clinic in a bid to give an “extra level” of protection.

He praised the health staff who administered the jabs, saying they worked “really hard”.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the Goondiwindi community had pulled together in the face of the growing Covid threat to achieve “very impressive vaccination rates”.

“Queensland Health has vaccinated 5,800 of Goondiwindi’s 10,600 residents – more than half the shire’s population,” she said.

Boris, Leon, Helen and Jan Billing Photo Hannah McNulty

“Goondiwindi residents have shown what can be achieved in a non-urban setting, and they’re setting a great example during this pandemic for other rural communities.”

Beyond Goondiwindi, 53 per cent of all eligible residents in the Central West region of Queensland have now been vaccinated with either one or two doses – according to Ms D’Ath.

The latest federal government data shows 15.3 per cent of residents within the Darling Downs-Maranoa region, where Goondiwindi is situated, have received both doses – which puts them at the lower end of the scale compared to other regions within Queensland.

Ms D’Ath said Queensland Health took a “whole of community vaccination approach” in some rural and remote communities – as they have done in Goondiwindi.

Ben Makim, Jess Makim and Cam Makim Photo Hannah McNulty

“This allows more people to be vaccinated in a timely and efficient manner and result in increased vaccination uptake,” she said.

Roberta Fairbanks, who owns a day spa in Goondiwindi called Sister Sister Co, said it was a “big relief” to be able to access the Covid jab.

“I feel like the clinic here was a really big success,” she said.

“The two times I went there, I could just see … familiar faces around. I could see everyone was proud to be doing it.”

Goondiwindi local Helen Billing received both of her Covid jabs along with her 17-year-old daughter Mia.

Her husband has been vaccinated as well, while her mother and father in law have received both of their AstraZeneca jabs.

“It’s so wonderful that we’ve been so proactive on getting on this and utilising the offer that was there on our doorstep from Queensland Health,” she said.

Julia Spicer, another Goondiwindi local, said there were three generations of the Spicer family within the town that were either fully vaccinated or had received their first shot.

She said the vaccination rate within the community was fantastic.

“I think it shows that as a community we want to make sure that we’re all looking after each other,” she said.

“I think the reality is that it is a bit that typical regional value of something’s got to get done – let’s get in and get it done and get on with things.”

Ms Spicer received her first shot last week along with her husband Tony, and both of them will get their second jab in August.

Jess Makim, from the family owned Makim Builders Goondiwindi, said all of their employees were given paid time from work to get their jab.